Discover the southern life of Bernadette Butler, along with the eccentric and lovable citizens, along with all the fur babies, who live in Sugar Creek Gap in this NEW southern cozy mystery series by USA TODAY Bestselling Author Tonya Kappes. Don’t miss out on the good RECIPES at the end of the book!Everyone in Sugar Creek Gap has tried to fix up widow and beloved mail carrier, Bernadette Davis on … Bernadette Davis on several dates. They say she has to be lonely.
What they don’t know is how Bernadette’s life is filled…filled with everyone’s hidden secrets and obsessions. After all, she does deliver their mail and hears all the dirty laundry southern folks love to sweep secrets under the rug.
While on her route, Bernadette finds out the beloved Sugar Creek Gap Country Club is being sold and turned into condos. The developer is Bernadette’s best friend, Mac Tabor and right now he’s not very popular.
The entire town is against the development and eager to vote it down, vowing they will do whatever needs to be done to stop the sell of the country club to Mac Tabor.
Chuck Shilling, majority owner of the country club, and Mac have a public fight because Chuck is rethinking of selling the club to Mac. When Chuck is found dead, Mac Tabor is the number one suspect.
Bernadette discovers she’s got a penchant for discovering clues that just might help STAMP OUT a killer who is on the loose while trying to save Mac Tabor from going to prison for a murder he didn’t commit.
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This is a fantastic new series from Tonya Kappes that I thoroughly enjoyed. Bernadette is a mail carrier in a small town in Kentucky that finds herself deep in solving a murder. The country club is being sold off and there are a lot of people unhappy.. but was someone so unhappy enough to commit murder? Bernadette finds herself investigating because her dead husband’s best friend is being framed or is he? There are secrets unfolding and what Bernadette doesn’t know is that these secrets are going to affect her more than anyone else.
I really enjoyed this newest book from a truly talented author. She will have you hooked from the get-go. You will find it hard to put this one down because your curiosity will get the better of you.
What a way to start a new series of cozy mysteries. I loved this story. The characters in this small town in Kentucky are wonderful. I hope there are many books in this series. I laughed a lot and loved trying to work out who might have committed the murder. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
Stamped Out is the first book in the new “A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery” series. Tonya Kappes gives us a new heroine to love in the small town of Sugar Creek Gap. Being a mail carrier comes with its own rewards, i.e. Bernadette Butler is privy to all sorts of secrets that the residents may try to hide. Between her route and her posse, The Front Porch Ladies, Bernadette is a shoo-in to solve the murder of one of the country club owners when her friend Mac is accused of the crime.
This story introduces us to charming and quirky characters and a storyline that includes protests, town hall antics, graffiti, gossips, murder, and twists and turns to keep you guessing.
I cannot wait for the next book in this new series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
This is a great start to a new cozy mystery series. The main character, Bernadette, is very likable and her occupation is original–she’s a US mail carrier. That job allows her to be a wee bit snoopy and sleuth a bit as she visits with customers on her route. For some reason, it took me a bit to really get into the book, but I ended up loving it. I think this series has great promise–I can just see it as a Hallmark Mystery movie series. The characters are interesting and I want to know more about them; the mystery itself was intriguing; the solution to the mystery was a surprise, but the appropriate clues had been present in foreshadowing, along with some red herrings. I highly recommend this book and author–I’ve loved everything Tonya Kappes has written. I was provided a free arc of this book, but these opinions are my own.
3.5 stars
STAMPED OUT, the first book in the Mail Carrier Mystery Series by Tonya Kappes, introduces readers to a new small town setting and cast of characters. Bernadette, a widow and mail carrier, gets caught up in the investigation of a local business man’s murder when her best friend Mac becomes the prime suspect. It comes as a shock that Mac has been keeping secrets from her, and she is determined to find a killer and some answers.
I like that Bernadette is older than the average cozy mystery sleuth. She is smart and confident, and even though she does some questionable things in the name of detecting, she is a strong sleuth. I cannot think of a better occupation than that of a mail carrier; it makes all of her investigating seem perfectly natural. I also like Mac and trust readers will see the “real” him going forward. Overall, the characters are less quirky and there is less humor than in Kappes’ other works, but it is still quite entertaining. The mystery is engaging, but I think the big curveball is too over-the-top. As is the case with many shorter books, the ending feels rushed.
I enjoyed STAMPED OUT and will definitely give the next book in the series a try when it is released. There is great potential here. Recommended to any cozy mystery fan.
I received an ARC of this title from the author and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.
This is the first instalment in a new series and one quite promising ….i loved to discover a sleuth detective with a job so original as a mail carrier as e have little idea of what it include beside delivering mail. So that was an original starting point and we still get the humour we love in Tonya Kappes’ writing. In fact i loved how she made allusion to her others series i couldn’t stop smiling.
The investigation is well done, the characters grow on you and it’s an easy entertaining read. I was moved by Bernadette past and perhaps it’s why this series is not my favourite at this point….i didn’t feel like Karma was well served and i love the ones acting badly to be punished, in this instance it wasn’t enough in mye yes.
However if it’s not my favourite i still really enjoyed it and i hope we will get more of Bernadette stories in the future as it’s wonderfully written.
Stamped Out by Tonya Kappes is the first book in her new A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery Series. This book just like every other book by Kappes is very well written, drew me right in, making me forget everything else and did not let me go until I turned the last page. I did not want to put it down. The characters are very well developed and likable. I love the small town charm. I liked that fact that the protagonist is older than the usual cozy mystery protagonists. There were red herrings and twists and turns and plenty of suspects to keep you guessing. The ending took me by surprise, I can’t wait for the next book in this series to come out. Of course you can’t forget the wonderful recipes included in the back of the book. I received an ARC and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.
I am loving that Tonya Kappes is writing an original cozy mystery series which features a mail carrier as the sleuth! Bernadette is a wonderful character and I enjoyed “meeting her” in the first book in the Mail Carrier series, Stamped Out! As you will come to recognize, Tonya sets her books in the south and always brings about the southern charm I have come to love. So not only do you get a wonderful book but also a ton of southern comfort!
If you’re looking for a new cozy mystery series to start, this is a great place to do it! Readers who have a kindle unlimited subscription can read this one for free.
Bernadette is a widowed mail carrier. Everyone is trying to ‘set her up’ with someone else, but she isn’t interested. She has her son and his family and her parents and good friends, that is all she needs until she finds a dead body on her route. When her dearest friend is accused of the crime she makes it her business to find the killer. But she is surprised by what she finds out! What is it? Not telling, you will need to read the book to find out. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Stamped Out is the start of another great cozy mystery series from Tonya Kappes. Bernadette has survived the loss of her husband forcing her to raise her son on her own, and her job as a mail carrier has endeared her in town. Through the course of doing her mail route, Bernadette discovers a dead body. When her dearest friend and the one person who has supported her the most since the death of her husband becomes a suspect, Bernadette decides to use her job as mail carrier to help solve the case.
Kappes does a great job at setting up an intriguing new mystery series that includes her signature small town setting, quirky and enjoyable characters, and a intriguing mystery. Stamped Out introduces a new and down to earth character in Bernadette. Bernadette is well developed in this book while still leaving room to be discovered and explored in future installments. I also really enjoyed the secondary characters who were introduced because I felt that they really added to the story. The book’s mystery was well done, and the characters and story grab the reader’s attention from the beginning and never really let go. Overall Stamped Out proved to be a great read, and I look forward to reading about Bernadette’s next adventure.
Received a copy of Stamped Out from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Stamped Out is the first in the series by Tonya Kappes where we meet Bernadette Butler who is a United States Postal Carrier, mother to Grady, who is a coach at the local high school. Bernadette best friend, Iris feels things and the first time she’s right is it’s about Richard, Bernadette’s husband, who died in a car crash. Today is the 10 year anniversary of his death. Bernadette hears everything while doing her postal route and today was no except. Today there is a emergency City Council meeting regarding Chuck Shilling who is selling his share of the 120 acres of land that the country club is built on and no in the town is happy about it. While doing her route Bernadette finds the body of Chuck in the water and they suspect Mac, Richard’s best friend. Bernadette finds she doesn’t know Mac like she thinks but she does know he is no killer. Can Bernadette help Mac and will she find out what Mac is hiding??
Stamped Out is the first book in what I expect to be another great series by this author. Bernadette finds a body while delivering her mail route. When a friend is accused of the murder, she sets out to prove his innocence. This cozy mystery is extremely well written with a tight, multi-layered plot and engaging characters. There were multiple story lines, which were all tied up in the end. I’m looking forward to the next book. I received this book free and chose to make a voluntary, unbiased review.
Bernadette Butler is a mail carrier in the small Kentucky town of Sugar Creek Gap. Bernadette was widowed young and raised her son. Her son has gone from being the high school mascot to the high school football coach. Bernie has the walking route through town and surrounding neighborhoods. The town is in an uproar regarding the closing of the golf course and adding condos to the neighborhood.
When Bernie finds a dead body and her friend is the main suspect, Bernie gets involved in solving the mystery. This is a new series for a well-known author.
This exciting first in Tonya Kappes’ new Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery series is a great intro to one of my new favorites of hers! Starring Bernadette, widowed mail carrier, and Rowena, her charming rescue cat, it is sure to delight Southern cozy mystery fans. The characters are defined well in this opening episode, and the mystery is a challenge to solve. Working for the post office and stamp collecting is interesting to me. The sweet Kentucky town of Sugar Creek Gap is full of surprises and suspense!
It is the tenth anniversary of the death of Bernadette’s husband, Richard, and it starts much the same as any other. She begins her mail route, stops to visit with Vince, resident at the retirement condos, and is making plans to attend the evening’s high school football game in which the Grizzlies will play their biggest competitor. Bernadette’s son Grady is the head football coach, and a college scout will be there.
Bernadette stops at the emergency city council meeting after learning that her late husband’s best friend Mac, who is like family to her and Grady, is buying the land the country club, near bankruptcy, sits on. The mayor, the man who owns 40% of the land, council members and neighbors want to stop the sale since Planning and Zoning have approved for Mac to build condos on the land. A meeting will take place before tonight’s football game. Mac, and Chuck Shilling, who is selling his 60% of the land, are required to be there and postpone signing the final papers until afterwards.
Bernadette catches up on the rumors with the Front Porch Ladies, including a fight that Chuck and Mac had. She didn’t know that Mac has been seeing a woman with a fancy car. As close friends as they are, the morning shows that Mac has been keeping some big secrets from her.
Continuing on her route, Bernadette begins to cross the bridge over Little Creek and look for the duck she feeds daily. The duck pointed out something unusual to her – the body of Chuck, the man who was selling the country club to Mac. The police begin to investigate. Not only has he been shot, but the gun that was used is found next to Mac’s house. It is reported that Mac and Chuck had disagreements the night before and it sounds like Chuck had been threatened.
The suspense builds as Bernadette decides to listen to what she can to get Mac off the hook. Even when she learns more of Mac’s secrets, and it hurts that he didn’t tell her some of these things! There may be a lot she doesn’t know, and one thing she does – Mac would never kill someone over a deal that doesn’t finalize. The rumors, gossip, and interesting things she learns on her mail route are perfect for her to find who the real bad guy is.
I like Bernadette! She has been a widow for ten years. Her best friend Iris has been trying to fix her up for nine years, but she feels Richard was the love of her life and nobody else could be like him. She is content with her life, her friends and activities, her son and daughter-in-law, and cat. She is smart and loyal. I also like Vince, who becomes her sleuthing partner. He has a few secrets of his own that help him with her search.
I highly recommend this to fans of the author, challenging and suspenseful cozy mysteries with delightful southern characters, and cats!
From a thankful heart: I received an advance reader copy of this novel; a review was not required.
Stamped Out is the first book in a new series by Tonya Kappes. Bernadette is a mother, widow and postal worker in the small town of Sugar Creek Gap, Kentucky. When Bernadette discovers a body and her close friend is the number one suspect, she decides she must help him and figure out who is the really guilty of the crime. There were such great twists and turns, I couldn’t put the book down. Plus, I love the recipes shared at the end of the book…thank you Tonya!
Tonya Kappes has created a charming southern town full of fun, quirky and relatable characters. This series is going to be a hit!
Have you ever wondered what it was like to be a U.S. Postal worker? Now is your chance to find out without having to brave the in the snow, rain, heat or gloom of night like they do! Although you will quickly learn those they do mail routes in town usually hear some of the most interesting gossip-even if they are trying to help a friend.
Four stars, why four stars? The characters are great, the story is interesting, but I felt like there was too much going on for this postal worker to get her actual job done. Bernadette Butler is a widower and mother to Grady. Grady is the high school football coach and is married to Julia, who is Mac’s secretary in his architect office. Mac is the best friend to Richard, Bernadette’s late husband, and has been helping her and Grady after Richard’s passing. Got it? Good!
Mac decides to buy out the large portion of the country club, much to the towns dismay as they find he is wanting to build condos. So much distressed that they are calling a town meeting on the buyout! I honestly felt like this was an overreach of the entire town, even a small town, to go bananas over a buyout that has not officially happened yet. Plus, how did they find out about the condos? I’m still trying to figure that one out! I just felt like there was a lot going on and some information that could have helped the reader a little bit missing. But overall it is a great story with an ending that you can, somewhat, foresee, but not who the killer actually is and why they are loony toons!
I am excited to read the next book of this series when it is released, but Bernie needs to make sure her job is getting done. I’m not sure she ever finished one or two of her routes, but she does pass one off to another character. I believe it is a great start to a series that will take off and be another great read for cozy mystery lovers!
I was given a free copy of this book in trade for my honest review.
Stamped Out by Tonya Kappes is the first book in her new small town cozy mystery series, A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery.
Ms. Kappes’ descriptive writing brings Sugar Creek Gap to life as you meet Bernadette Butler, her son Grady and his wife Julia. The story moved quickly but the characters are developing slowly so that a reader gets to know them throughout the story. I enjoyed the fact that Bernie is older than the average cozy mystery protagonist. I found all of the characters to be likable and Sugar Creek Gap to be a small town that I would love to visit. The finale’s twist was shocking and I can’t wait to read the next book to see what happens next.
The author provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
Bernadette Butler is Sugar Creek Gap’s beloved mail carrier. Everyone wants to set her up on a date since her husband passed away several years ago. However, Bernadette is anything but lonely. While on her mail route she hears everyone’s dirty secrets and gossip. One piece of gossip she hears is that her friend Mac Tabor is not everyone’s favorite person. He is purchasing the country club to turn it into condos. So when the body of Chuck Shilling the owner of the country club is found, Mac is the number one suspect. Bernadette has a hard time believing Mac is so different from the friend she’s known for years. She is determined to find out who the killer is and what Mac is really up to.
Tonya Kappes has done it again. She has written a wonderful start to a new series. The book is full of wonderfully quirky characters, a setting full of southern charm, and a mystery full of humor and a little romance. The characters are well developed and I enjoyed getting to know Bernadette and the rest of the unique characters in Sugar Creek Gap. This book moves at a quick steady pace with several well-placed red herrings. I was completely surprised at the ending. I am excited to see where this series goes.
I received a copy of this book at my request, and I have voluntarily left this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.
I read an advanced copy for an honest review.
Tonya Kappas has done it again!
She has introduced us to a brand new series with amazing characters and a town I would love to explore.
I loved meeting the “porch ladies” the people at the nursing home and especially the main character Bernadette and her best friend Iris.
She skillfully leads us down a trail where you think for sure, with all the clues, you have solved the mystery and than bamboozles you with one surprise after another.
I can’t wait for this series to continue.
Wow! Tonya Kappes has created another wonderful new series! I love this book. It is interesting, funny, and entertaining with an intriguing mystery. The book is well written with detailed characters. I love the characters! Bernie is wonderful and so are many of the secondary characters including the cat Rowena. I like the small town setting of Sugar Creek Gap and found Bernie’s mail carrier job an interesting aspect. The book captured my attention from the beginning and I could not put it down. I can’t wait to see what is in store for them in the next book!